1st Archery vs 2nd Archery?

[BurrellTX]

I've noticed the 2nd Archery season keeps getting praised more than the 1st in New Mexico. This looks to be due to the rut usually kicking off during that part of September. I have read in a couple of places where guys have hunting the 2nd Season only to find out they missed the rut. My first question is this. If anyone had a similar hunt where the rut started early, then what do you believe was cause of that happening that specific year? Was it weather related? Was it moon phase related or a combination of both? I would like to hear some opinions. Now my 2nd question is what are the pros and cons of hunting each season.

UNITS
2, 4,5A, 5B, 6A, 6C, 7, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16A, 16B/22, 16C, 16D, 16E, 17, 21A, 21B, 23, 24, 34, 36, 45, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53

SEASONS
Sept 1-14 First Archery
Sept 15-24 Second Archery

 

[Thomas11]

Well I think maybe an early rut could be due to weather, area u r in, and probably more than anything isolated pockets of cows coming into estrous early. But that being said, the early hunt for the most part will not have the bugling activity or rutting of the second hunt. As far as the Gila units are concerned, I feel the early season u do good to find and pattern the elk. Potentially sit water would be good. The second season the elk are just so much more easier to find because they are vocal. Not to say they are easier to kill though. And last the first season has better draw odds. And u should still catch a lil of the rut as season ends the 14th.

 

[pre6422hornet]

High Country units seem to have better early season rut activity whereas the lower ( mostly southern) units seem to rut later. At least in the info I have gathered in my short time there and the bow hunters I conversed with.

For example, a very good friend of mine is a very accomplished New Mexico bow hunter. 9 tags in 10 years and 8 bulls tagged. Anytime he hunts a high country unit he puts in for early season. The Gila always late season. He has never had a hunt where he didn't have awesome rut action.

 

[Zim]

High Country units seem to have better early season rut activity whereas the lower ( mostly southern) units seem to rut later. At least in the info I have gathered in my short time there and the bow hunters I conversed with.

For example, a very good friend of mine is a very accomplished New Mexico bow hunter. 9 tags in 10 years and 8 bulls tagged. Anytime he hunts a high country unit he puts in for early season. The Gila always late season. He has never had a hunt where he didn't have awesome rut action.

I am a nonresident but have hunted quite a few units in the last 20 years both high and low. I agree with everything hornet posted if evaluating by the current Sept. 14/15 split date.

 

[BurrellTX]

All very good information everyone. Everything Hornet and Zim have said makes absolute sense. I have 4 units in mind but obviously the weeks I hunt outside the rut I have better odds pulling as a nonresident but more people to contend with once I get there. Then you have the weeks within the rut have less odds and less people to contend with. What I'm really looking for is a unit with good odds for non-resident bowhunter to draw and less people. At this point I feel like I can live without the rut and still find elk, I just really don't want to contend with people. With that said I'm willing to put in a few miles into wilderness away from the head trail. Those are the units I'm having a difficult time finding any literature on.